Features

After releasing their debut album 'Chlorine', playing too many gigs to count (you still remember gigs, right?), supporting the likes of Bob Mould and Kadavar on tour - as well as making over 30 festival appearances in 2019 alone - Berlin's fuzz punks Pabst are getting ready to release their new album. They announced 'Deuce Ex Machina' (out June 19) with single 'Skyline,' which took aim at the gentrification that is taking over their beloved hometown. A hometown they were kind enough to show us around in for our latest city guide.

PRT: If you had to come up with a marketing slogan for the city, what would it be?

Tilman: "This city's no place for losers like us.”

PRT: What made you first fall in love with the city?

Tilman: I guess I never really fell in love, as I was born here. It's just very common, more like a peaceful coexistence between us.

Erik: Same for me tbh. I like it here though. Maybe, if there’s one thing I like is that there is plenty of really nice, affordable food here.

Tore: Yes, me too.

PRT: Best place to play?

Tilman: West Germany at Kotti when it's really hot in summer

Erik: I've always enjoyed Urban Spree

Tore: Yes, Urban Spree was always fun

PRT: Best place to go for a drink?

Tilman: Whatever Kneipe is around. Main thing: Cheap beer from the bottle.

Erik: Would second that.

Tore: There are so many, but if they have a jukebox I am fine.

PRT: Best place to go for food?

Tilman: Pomodorino/Saporito Pizza and Pasta!

Erik: Pizza, currently W in Neukölln and Zola in Kreuzberg (I know, I’m a hipster...). Also, Mayflower in Prenzlauer Berg, a very cool Chinese place.

Tore: For Falafel I would say Mo's Imbiss. And Liu, because this is the only restaurant which can satisfy my taste for hot food.

PRT: Best touristy thing to do in the city?

Tilman: Go to Tierpark or Zoologischer Garten. If you've got the money have yourself a breakfast on Fernsehturm.

Erik: Cornern (hanging out in front of a Späti, with a drink)

PRT: Best hidden spot in the city?

Tilman: Probably the backyard of my flat, where you can always find a nice spot in the summer.

Erik: Since I’ve adopted a dog I’ve found many nice forests in Berlin that are not overrun at all nice to walk around in.

Tore: Yes, the green spots I would say. There are a few.

PRT: One thing you would like to see changed in the city?

Tilman: Lower the rents!

Erik: Yep, and stop building new housing only for the rich…

Tore: Less competition.

PRT: What's your best memory about the city?

Tilman: The last thing I was really excited about was playing at Columbiahalle with Pabst late 2019. It was always my dream to play there as I went to my first concert there. I guess that's something I can tell my grandchildren when I'm old.

Erik: Generally, I love summers in the city. often much more than at the beach. Some very cool memories there.

Tore: My childhood till I was 15. buying Chinese food for 1.00 Euro (before my street was gentrified) and sitting on a bench in the summer

PRT: Where in the city did you get your heart broken?

Tilman: I only break hearts... (my girlfriend is laughing now…)

Erik: Romantically: never, non-romantically: too many times and places to count them.

Tore: Kreuzberg

PRT: What now defunct venue do you miss the most?

Tilman: Festsaal Kreuzberg when it still was in Kreuzberg.

Erik: Same here, it was the perfect venue.

Tore: Same, we just talked about it some days ago

PRT: Favorite song about your city you'd like to share, either yours or someone else's?

Tilman: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – "Berlin"

Erik: Hund am Strand – "Frühling"

Tore: Martin Kesici - "Angel of Berlin"